Governor Hochul Provides Lake Effect Snow Update

 

Department of Transportation Providing Additional Support To Keep State Roads Clear for Fans Traveling to Buffalo Bills Game

State of Emergency Declared for Multiple Counties

Snow Totals of Four Feet in Western New York and Five Feet in North Country Expected

Commercial Vehicle Ban in Effect on the New York State Thruway Until Further Notice Between Exit 46 (Rochester-Corning- I-390-) and the Pennsylvania State Line in Both Directions

Ban on Empty and Tandem Commercial Vehicles in Effect on I-86 From Pennsylvania State Line to I-390 and on State Route 219 From the Pennsylvania State Line to I-90

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on lake effect snow impacting communities in the Western New York and North Country Regions. Department of Transportation crews are clearing snow to ensure that State roads around the stadium are safe for traveling fans. On Friday, Governor Hochul declared a State of Emergency for Allegany, Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Wyoming and Contiguous Counties. Additional States of Emergency were declared by Erie County and the towns of Brant and Evans.

“As New Yorkers face the ongoing impacts of lake effect snow, first responders are working around the clock to ensure the safety of our communities,” Governor Hochul said. “With tonight’s kickoff in our sights, we are doing everything we can to clear roads, assess damage and provide state and local partners with the resources they need.”

Lake effect snow is ongoing across southwestern-central Lewis, northern Lewis, western Chautauqua, Jefferson and southern Erie Counties and will continue through Monday. The heaviest snowfall will occur through Sunday morning, with an additional period of heavy snow late tonight into Monday morning across parts of the Western New York and North Country Regions. These regions should expect snowfall rates of one to two and three to four inches per hour in the most intense snow bands.

In addition to what has already fallen, additional snow totals of one to two feet are possible in Western New York, with the greatest accumulation over northern Chautauqua and south-central Erie Counties. An additional two to three feet are possible in the North Country with the greatest accumulation from the northern Tug Hill to near Watertown.

Lake effect snow will begin to enter Central New York and parts of the Mohawk Valley Regions today and Monday. Between four to ten inches of snow is forecast for Central New York and three to five inches in the Mohawk Valley Regions with snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour.

Travel advisories have been issued due to poor driving conditions as a result of the weather for Jefferson, Lewis and portions of Erie County. The City of Watertown has suspended Citibus service until further notice.

New York State Department of Transportation

A ban on empty and tandem commercial vehicles remains in effect on I-86 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-390 and on State Route 219 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-90.

To assist with traffic safety related to the upcoming Buffalo Bills vs. San Francisco 49ers game, the State Department of Transportation is utilizing forces from its North and South Erie residencies, along with out of region equipment and forces, to double up on plow beats on the following State Routes in and around the stadium: Route 20, Route 20A, Route 219, Route 5 and Route 179. These intensive operations, which began last night, will cease around 3 p.m. as fans begin to enter the stadium and resume from the opening kickoff until late in the fourth quarter.

Additionally, from 12 p.m. Sunday until midnight, tow trucks will be prepositioned around the stadium to clear incidents quickly. Additional tow crews will be on standby as needed.

The Department of Transportation will continue to work closely with the Thruway Authority, State Police, Erie County and the City of Buffalo to address any traffic or weather concerns before, during or after the game.

Thruway Authority

Bans/Closures

Due to the closure of I-90 in Pennsylvania, the NYS Thruway (I-90) westbound remains closed from exit 57 (Hamburg – East Aurora – State Route 75) to the Pennsylvania State Line until further notice. Eastbound lanes are open.

All commercial vehicles are banned on the Thruway from exit 46 (Rochester – Corning – I-390) to the PA State Line in both directions until further notice.